House Pushes Changes In Retirement System
April 13, 2017
The Florida House is poised to adopt major changes in the state retirement system, although the legislation remains in doubt in the Senate.
House members Wednesday took up a bill (HB 5007) that, beginning in January 2018, would make a controversial change for new public employees who don’t make a choice in their retirement plans.
Under the bill, those employees would go into the state’s 401(k)-type investment plan rather than the traditional pension plan. Currently, undecided employees default into the traditional pension plan. In both scenarios, new employees can opt to join either plan.
The legislation would also bar newly elected officials, including state lawmakers, Cabinet members, judges, county commissioners and school board members, from joining the traditional pension plan after July 1, 2018. They would receive retirement benefits through the investment plan.
Also, the bill would limit pension benefits for judges by reducing the annual rate for accruing their retirement benefits from 3.3 percent to 3 percent beginning July 1.
The House is scheduled to vote on the legislation Thursday, after the Republican majority defeated an amendment Wednesday from Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee.
Ausley’s proposed amendment would have eliminated the controversial revisions sought by GOP leaders, while authorizing changes in the annual contributions paid by state government, school districts, county governments and other public agencies.
The Senate in past years has rejected attempts to limit the traditional pension plan. The new House bill would tie such revisions to the annual contribution changes that are required to make sure the pension system is fiscally sound for the long term.
Ausley warned that if the bill is rejected by the Senate, it could hurt the financial stability of the $149 billion pension fund. A Senate bill (7022), which only has the contribution changes, says the rate increases would bolster the fund by $149.5 million in the next budget year.
“The Florida retirement system is at risk of being underfunded,” Ausley warned. “This (the House approach) is a very risky move.”
But her plea to pass “a clean rate bill” was defeated in a voice vote.
Rep. Matt Caldwell, the sponsor of the bill, defended the legislation, including the change in the handling of new employees who do not make a retirement-plan choice. He said it would protect those workers by placing them in the investment plan where they could keep their contributions and investments if they left public employment before the eight-year vesting period, which is required for traditional pension benefits.
“The odds are it will be to the benefit of the employee,” said Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers.
But Democrats who opposed the bill argued that there was no need to change a financially healthy pension plan, which is projected to be able to pay more than 85 percent of its future obligations. They also said workers could be hurt by being placed in the riskier investment plan as opposed to a traditional pension plan that provides specific benefits.
“What is broken?” asked Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach. “What is wrong, considering we have one of the strongest pension systems in the country?”
The retirement system has some 630,000 active members and about 400,000 retirees. About half of the active employees work for Florida school districts, 23 percent are county workers and 20 percent are state employees.
Singleton Selected As State FFA Officer Candidate
April 13, 2017
Northview High School senior Mitchell Singleton has been selected as a Florida FFA state officer candidate.
Singleton is Area 1 vice president candidate. He is the only selected candidate from Northwest Florida.
The 2018 State Officer Screening Committee named Mitchell and seven other high school seniors as candidates for state FFA office at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City.
There were 27 student FFA members from across the state that participated in the rigorous interview process. These members were challenged with a personal interview, written exam, individual problem-solving exercise, advocacy stand and deliver practicum, state degree interview, agricultural education interview and a conversational exercise.
Singleton and the other candidates will seek election at the 89th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo, June 12-16 in Orlando.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Releases Latest Honor Roll
April 13, 2017
The following students were named to the third nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
Kindergarten – A Honor Roll
Alexis Amerson
Eric Anthony
Landen Barlow
Abigail Brown
Alysa Bryan
Ava Bryan
Jaxon Byrd
Carson Eady
Aubrey Flowers
Pryce Flowers
Kintley Flowers
Josyah Fontenot
Christian Fountain
Olivia Garrett
Nathan Gilmore
Kyndal Hadley
Autumn Heist
Sophia Ikner
Maybree Johnson
Noah Luker
Parker Marsh
Mya McCants
Briley Moore
Demeatree Moorer
Natalia Morales
Rainey Nelson
Jonathan Patrick
Jade Presley
Madison Rice
Ashton Roberts
Caden Sanspree
Kimmora Thomas
Javan Thompson
James Thompson
Summer Weaver
Na’Kiyah Williams
Taryanna Wright
FIRST GRADE – A Honor Roll
Landon Allcock
Gabrielle Boatwright
Jamarreai Davison
Logan Diller
O’Neshia DuBose
Parker Ganey
Sawyer Gilmore
Brody Hall
Camden Jacobson
John McAnally
Hunter Parker
Madalynn Pittman
Christian Roberts
Makinzi Roley
Breah Shelly
Cassandra Stilwell
Kameryn Thompson
Kaylee Wilson
FIRST GRADE – A/B Honor Roll
Govan Alexander
Tyler Amerson
Eli Anthony
Marquis Banks
Serenity Conway
Jacob Dove
Zachary Flowers
Michael Greenwell
Emmalee Grimes
Ashleigh Harris
Evelyn Jones
Logan Kaul
Levi Peters
Alivia Pierce
Brooklyn Reynolds
Annsleigh-Nikole Rodriguez
Jackson Sellers
Adalynn Southard
Noah Spence
Wyatt Spence
Kennedy Ward
SECOND GRADE – A Honor Roll
Lexi Bingham
Luke Bryan
Christian Caraway
William Classen
Jacobi Dougall
Nolan Eady
Cathryn Greenwood
Laila Hadley
Lori Hall
Presley Johnson
Kaylee Long
Mikayla McAnally
Dakota Richardson
Avery Stuckey
SECOND GRADE – A/B Honor Roll
Montgomery Baker
Amara Campbell
Madilynne Cardwell
Crimson Davis
Carlie Davis
Kylar Davis
Hayden Gipson
Savannah Lowry
Logan Morris
Makayla Plato
Miles Smith
Jake Taylor
Raleigh Warr
THIRD GRADE – A Honor Roll
Desiray Bagwell
Jackson Bridges
Addison Classen
Tristan Crumm
Mary-Clayton Dawson
LanDon Johnson
Carley Moore
Jackson Simmons
Jasmine Zisa
THIRD GRADE – A/B Honor Roll
Ellie Adkins
Claire Amerson
Wade Bailey
Bailey Blackwell
Isaiah Boatwright
Nevaeh Bush
Tyler Carach
Luke Chavers
Aakira Davis
Addison Eicher
Shelby Greenwell
Talise Gregson
William Heard
Emily Jarvis
Tristan Johnson
Keeli Knighten
Kayleb Nicholson
Braylan Shelly
Brayden Smith
Justy Starns
Maggie Stewart
Haidyn Turberville
Mya Wilson
FOURTH GRADE – A Honor Roll
Madeleine Atallah
Colton Criswell
JaCee Dortch
Noah Faulkner
Jamison Gilman
Mary Catherine Hughes
Laura Laborde
Colby Pugh
Ally Richardson
Maggie Scott
FOURTH GRADE – A/B Honor Roll
Evan Chick
Kinslee Coker
Calene Davis
Kylie Davis
Payton Daw
Richard Emmons
Aliyah Fountain
Jared Hudson
Adannaya Mondaca
Zakyla Smith
Bryce Stabler
Jonathon Stilwell
FIFTH GRADE – A Honor Roll
Raegan Abbott
Sarah Bailey
Haydn Baker
Riley Dawson
Carsyn Dortch
Mayson Edwards
Maggie Godwin
Ava Gurganus
Leah Hetrick
Jaquez Moorer
Jacob Spence
Emily Stilwell
Bentley Van Pelt
FIFTH GRADE – A/B Honor Roll
Rabekah Abbott
Sara Amerson
Elijah Amerson
Ethan Bingham
Kyle Blanton
Olivia Boatwright
Kaedence Carter
Edward Conway
Chloe Criswell
Samuel Dettling
Tyteanna Dubose
Scotty Elliott
Zykuria Fountain
Raleigh Gibson
Berklee Hall
Joshlynn Helton
Austin Minchew
Alexis Moya
William Plato
Bryson Sanders
Angel Schoonover
Jaimee Taylor
Corbin Turberville
Northview Softball Beats Neal
April 13, 2017
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated W.S. Neal Tuesday night 10-1.
Tori Herrington earned the win in seven innings on the mound for Northview, allowing two hits, one run and striking out 10 while allowing no errors.
For Northview – J Newton 1-3, R, RBI; Tori Herrington 1-4, RBI; Aubrey Love 2-4, R, RBI, 3B; Peighton Dortch 3-2, 2 R, RBI; V Shelly 1-3, 3 R; Lydia Smith 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI 2B.
Escambia Academy has canceled their Thursday game at Canoe against the Chiefs. Northview has added a 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 home game against Chipley for Senior Night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Shut Out Biloxi
April 13, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos second baseman Alex Blandino hit a line drive double to left field with the bases loaded in the fourth inning to score three runs.
It was all the Blue Wahoos needed to win its first game, 3-0, on the road Wednesday against the Biloxi Shuckers at MGM Park in front of 3,708.
Pensacola right fielder Aristides Aquino led off the fourth inning with a walk and moved to second base on a single to left field by left fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Leon Landry then reached on a fielder’s choice and Guerrero was out at second base. Blue Wahoos third baseman Taylor Sparks then got the first of his three walks in the game to load the bases.
That’s when Blandino, who’s working on being more consistent at the plate, hit the first pitch to left and cleared the bases. He was 3-4 on the night with two doubles.
Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle allowed just one hit in seven innings of work, walked two and struck out six. Mahle is now 2-0 on the year with a 0.71 ERA.
In the home opener, Mahle pitched 4.1 perfect innings. Against Biloxi he pitched 5 perfect innings. To start the sixth inning, Mahle walked Angel Ortega and then second baseman Javier Betancourt singled to right field. He then walked Dustin DeMuth to load the bases with no outs.
But Mahle got out of the inning unscathed. He struck out the next two batters and got the third to ground out to first base.
Austin Brice and Jimmy Hegert both pitched one inning of hitless relief and closed out Pensacola’s first shutout of the season. Brice walked one, while Hegert struck out the side for his third save of the season. The Blue Wahoos now lead the Southern League with a 2.50 ERA in its six games this season.
Northview Athletes Qualify For Track Regionals
April 13, 2017
The following Northview High School athletes have qualify for regionals in track:
Police: Restaurant Worker Steals Customer’s $3K Ring
April 13, 2017
It was a case where some hand lotion caused a ring to fall off the finger of its owner and into the hands of a restaurant employee who found it and tried to sell it on an internet app.
The suspect – Wesley Aaron Dicus, 27, of Escambia County – was arrested Tuesday. He was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
The victim – Patricia Norris, 39, of Pensacola – contacted police on Monday and said she had been eating dinner April 2 at a local restaurant and that she had applied some lotion on her hands while there. Norris said she believed the lotion may have caused her $2,939 diamond ring to slip off her finger. Norris told police she realized the ring was missing the morning of April 3.
She said she searched her residence and vehicle and when she couldn’t find the ring, she contacted the restaurant and asked if someone might have found it and turned it in. Norris also went to the restaurant on April 5 but still was unable to find the ring.
Meanwhile, Dedrick Geter, 39, of Pensacola who had been dining with Norris on April 2, used his cell phone to search an internet app called ”OfferUp” in an effort to find the ring. Geter found a photograph of a ring that looked exactly like the one that Norris was missing and the ad had been posted on or about April 5 by the suspect, who had been their server the night they were eating at the restaurant.
Detectives Joshua Hudson and Shannan Briarton, posing as a couple, arranged to meet Dicus in a parking lot on April 11. The suspect said he would sell them the ring for $2,000. Dicus was taken into custody after various markings mentioned by the victim were found on the ring.
Authorities Investigate Death Of Atmore Infant
April 12, 2017
Investigators are working to determine exactly how a three-month old child died near Atmore.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call about 11 a.m. Monday from the child’s parents who woke up to find their three-month old infant “unresponsive at the residence” on Martinville Loop.
The parents started CPR, and EMS crews attempted resuscitation efforts, according to deputies.. The child was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
An autopsy is underway at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile to determine the cause of death.
Investigators said all deaths in Escambia County, AL, whether unattended, suspicious or unknown in nature are always treated to the level of a homicide. The parents are cooperating with law enforcement and the Department of Human resources.
The case is still under investigation. The name of the child has not been released.
Driver Uninjured In Bogia Crash
April 12, 2017
The driver of a pickup truck was not injured when he ran off the road into a wooded area shortly after noon Wednesday. He told authorities that he ran off the road to avoid a head-on collision a white pickup truck in his lane in a sharp curve on West Bogia Road, just off Highway 29. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Officer Hutchinson Receives Governor’s Medal Of Heroism
April 12, 2017
Governor Rick Scott recognized Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Jason Hutchinson with the Governor’s Medal of Heroism during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet Tuesday. Hutchinson was recently recognized as FWC’s 2017 Officer of the Year for his service and commitment to the safety of Florida’s families.
“I’m incredibly proud to recognize Officer Hutchinson with the Medal of Heroism today for his outstanding service to the State of Florida. Officer Hutchinson’s actions show how hard Florida’s law enforcement officers work every day to protect our families and communities,” Scott said.
“Officer Hutchinson’s dedication to conserving resources and public safety makes him an ideal FWC officer. He has made a difference in his patrol area and we’re proud to have him representing the FWC,” said Col. Curtis Brown, the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement director.
Originally from Santa Rosa County, part of his current patrol area, Hutchinson uses his local knowledge to protect the resources and people in his community. He makes a positive impact both on- and off-duty, and his actions set an example that reaches statewide.
Hutchinson began his career at the Florida Department of Corrections with the ultimate goal of eventually becoming a sworn officer for the FWC, which he achieved in 2012. Hutchinson’s varied work experience provides him with a wide-ranging experience set to draw from, and affords him the unique ability to identify with a number of officers from other agencies with different backgrounds. He has used that ability to the benefit of Floridians multiple times, including when he was instrumental in the apprehension of one of Santa Rosa County’s most notorious methamphetamine cooks. While working a night-hunting detail, he apprehended a subject in the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area who resisted arrest. Experience and instinct led him to contact the Santa Rosa County Narcotics Unit, which obtained a warrant and found seven active meth labs, meth and other paraphernalia in the suspect’s vehicle. Trafficking and manufacturing charges took the subject off the streets and placed him in prison.
Public outreach is another category in which Officer Hutchinson excels. During the past year, he has taught hunter education classes, conducted outreach events at schools and festivals, and has participated in the Blackwater Family Hunt and the Hutton Unit Mobility-impaired Hunts. During these events, Hutchinson has been an integral part of the effort to provide participants with the assistance and support they need to ensure a memorable experience in the outdoors.
Hutchinson created a program in conjunction with the local courts in which juvenile violators speak to their peers during hunter education classes. This counts toward their community service hours, has an impact on youth and keeps the focus of their community service on resource conservation.
Hutchinson and his wife Heather, along with their son Jake and daughter Haylee, live in northern Santa Rosa County.
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
